Fine Image Photography

Thanks, Mom!

2012-01-29T13:04:00.027-06:00

I love Mother, and I'm not talking about my mom. Although, yes, I love her, too. (Whaddaya think I am?)

No, I'm talking about Mother Advertising, one of the trendiest, most well-respected advertising agencies in the world. They have offices in London, New York and Buenos Aires, and are the agency of record for some of the world's biggest brands including Coca-Cola, Ikea, Stella Artois and many others. They produce some of the most clever, catchiest and flat-out best ads in both print and television, including Superbowl commercials complete with celebrity appearances. In short: they are a big deal.

So, you can imagine my elation when I landed a photography assignment for Mother New York last November. I travelled to Phoenix, Arizona to shoot the Target GoTube in it's inaugural deployment.

The GoTube is a genius idea courtesy of the brilliant creative minds at Mother New York. Basically, it's a mini-Target store that sells a limited number of items tailored specifically to the event at hand. In this case, the event was the 2011 Arizona Balloon Classic. As such, the Go-Tube had things like binoculars, lawn chairs, neck pillows -- all things that one would need at a hot air balloon festival. Sweetening the deal was the fact that the items were at regular Target prices, as opposed to the normally high prices found at festivals these days. And, you could even return the items later to any Target store if needed. Pretty clever, indeed.

For me, the best part of all was working with the Mother staff. They are at the top of their game and it was a genuine pleasure working with people who really know what they're doing. They were very happy with the work I did, and hinted at the possibility of future projects together. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Be sure to check out the official announcement of the GoTube project on Mother New York's website by clicking RIGHT HERE. (Because these images were shot on assignment, they are technically the property of Mother New York and thus can't be found in my website's Fine Art Galleries as per usual.)

Well, that's all for this month. As always, thanks for reading. And give your mom a hug! ^_^

Oh, Canada!

2011-12-31T17:09:00.020-06:00

"GET A LIFE, KORY!"

If that's what's going through your head when you notice that I'm writing this blog post on New Year's Eve, then you're not alone, because I happen to be thinking the same damn thing. Therefore, I'm going to keep this short. Celebration and champagne beckons, and I never keep a good bubbly waiting.

My trip to Canada was as awesome as it was cold. And, since it was double-digits below zero, I shouldn't have to tell you that I had one hell of a time up there. The pristine beauty of world-class Banff National Park in the midst of a frigid winter wonderland was truly something to behold. The cherry on top was the complete and utter lack of crowds. We had the whole place to ourselves! Well, except for the herd of Big Horn Sheep that insisted on licking the salt off of my car, but they were adorable and never once asked me what kind of camera I use.

We camped several nights right next to a shelter that had a wood stove in it. When the day's work was done, we filled that sucker full of wood, got a blazing fire going, and had a great time sipping whiskey and gazing up at the stars, as you can see in the photo below. About fifty yards away from the shelter was a bathroom that was actually open and functional. In the middle of nowhere. In the middle of winter. Only in Canada.

Toward the end of the trip, Marc and I had the honor of meeting famed Canadian photographer Darwin Wiggett. Like just about every other landscape photographer in existence, I've been a fan of Darwin's work for many years, so finally getting to meet him was a real thrill. Accompanying him was his soulmate and fellow photographer Samantha Chrysanthou. They joined Marc and I for an afternoon of shooting followed by dinner, drinks and good times at a local tavern. They're both the sweetest people, and Darwin proved to be quite the character as I had long suspected. I can't wait to see them again someday.

Before I go, remember last time how I mentioned that one of my blog posts got picked up for publication? Well, it's been published on Nature Photographers Online Magazine and you can read it RIGHT HERE.

Well, that about does it for this blog post and for 2011 as a whole. As always, thanks for reading. And, Happy New Year to you and yours! ^_^

Majestic Mount Rundle (large version HERE)

Frigid and Frosty Morning (large version HERE)

Warm and Cozy

Hangin' With The Locals

My hero(s)!

2011-11-30T18:33:00.035-06:00

Time for some positivity!

After last month's somewhat depressing blog post, in which I describe the trials and tribulations a landscape photographer often endures trying to get a hero image, I thought it would be nice to get back to normal and show you my most recent hero images. So, drop everything, clear your schedule, call all of your friends over, make some popcorn, fasten your seatbelt, and prepare to be utterly amazed. Or, you could just read on. I'll get over it someday.

This first image is, ironically, from the very same trip that produced the gut-wrenching incident on the sand dunes described in last month's blog post. I created it in the Pawnee National Grassland in northeastern Colorado.

Over the years, I had driven right by the Pawnee National Grassland countless times and never thought much of it. Imagine my surprise, then, when I finally decided to check it out and was completely blown away. (There's more of that "irony" stuff for you.)

Even though it's called a "grassland" there is much more to it than just grass, although there is, of course, grass aplenty. Much of the area is covered with large, dramatic cliffs and buttes. Impressive vistas abound at every turn. Within 45 minutes of arrival, the great beauty and splendor of the place had me grinning from ear to ear.

I made this image in a distant, little-traveled part of the grassland. The vibrant fall colors combined with the exquisite light of the setting sun made this one a no-brainer.

As I began hiking back to my car in the dark, coyotes -- lots of coyotes -- began howling en masse. My pulse quickened and my mind began to work overtime. I started worrying a bit too much about coyotes and mountain lions fancying me for dinner. I should've been calmed by the knowledge that surely no self-respecting coyote or mountain lion could possibly have such poor taste, but I was not.

All in all, I spent a half day in a place I'd never been to, without scouting it ahead of time, and came away with a hero image. To top it off, it was only about an hour away from my base of operations in Fort Collins, Colorado. It turned out to be far and away the best image from my entire trip to Colorado, and it took the least amount of effort.

Do I even have to point out the irony there?

Sunset Over Coyote Country (large version HERE)

This next image has a special place in my heart, which is really saying something considering how shriveled and black the thing is.

The subject is obvious: it's skyline of downtown Minneapolis, the glorious city I call home. What's not so obvious is the amount of time it took me to find this particular spot.

For over a decade, I looked for a spot just like this. One that overlooks the skyline, unobstructed, with cars zooming into and out of the city that I could use to make long-exposure lines which would lead the eye into the frame. Eventually, I gave up. If the spot doesn't exist, it doesn't exist.

Then, about six weeks ago, I found it.

I was elated beyond words. The second I saw it, I just knew it was the spot I had been looking for. All that was left was to wait for a day with a good sunset, then get there and make it happen.

On November 4th, that day came.

With the sunset looking promising, I fought rush hour traffic and made it to the spot just in time. I set up my tripod, composed my shot and readied myself. I knew the shot was going to be a knockout as long as the clouds cooperated and lit up with sunset color.

When the moment arrived, I started tripping the shutter... and got what I wanted within five minutes. I couldn't believe it: after a decade of searching, I had the shot! Even after finding the spot, I never dreamed things would happen so fast and that, a scant two weeks later, I would have the image of Minneapolis that I always dreamed of making. Damn, more irony!

So, I suppose you'd like to know exactly where that spot is. No problem, get something to write with. You ready? Here goes: it's at the corner of "Get A Map" and "F*ck Off". (Sorry, but whenever the chance presents itself I just have to quote lines from The Hangover.)

Seriously, though, you didn't think I was actually going to tell you, did you? Maybe in another ten years...

Bustling Metropolis (large version HERE)

Before I go, you may like to know that the aforementioned depressing blog post from last month got picked up for publication and will appear in the December issue of Nature Photographer's Online Magazine. Looks like even bad experiences can have silver linings.

Lastly, I leave on Saturday for a week in Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies. My friend and master landscape photographer Marc Adamus will be joining me. Shooting in the field with him is always rewarding, so I am quite excited! I should have the images from the trip ready within a month.

That's all for now. As always, thanks for reading and take care! ^_^

Holding Out For A Hero

2011-10-31T22:50:00.018-05:00

Hero images.

That's the term many photographers use to label their very best images. The ones that really stand out. The true keepers.

So, by entitling this blog post "Holding Out For A Hero", I'm not referring that that cheesy song from Footloose. I'm talking about the extreme lengths photographers -- especially landscape and nature photographers -- go to make an image that they're truly happy with. A hero image.

Ansel Adams, the most famous landscape photographer in history, once famously quipped, "Twelve significant photographs in any one year is a good crop". Think about tremendous, crushing the weight of that statement. Here is a man who took tens of thousands of pictures a year and only figured he made a hero image once a month at best!

Why is it so tough, then, for landscape and nature photographers to get hero images? Because we have literally no control over the most important aspect of photography: the light. Which really is to say the weather, because the weather is what controls the light.

Case in point: two weeks ago, I returned to Great Sand Dunes National Park determined to get the image that eluded me on my previous trip earlier this summer. Upon arrival, I was disappointed to see that once again the sky was completely cloudless and therefore boring for photography purposes.

The weather reports said that clouds would be rolling in later in the week, so I figured I'd scout locations for the next several days in preparation for the dynamic weather to come. I made the grueling 3.5-mile hike to Star Dune, the most massive and tallest dune in North America. Once atop, I cracked a smile as I found a very compelling composition that would work perfectly later in the week.

Three long days later, with the clouds appearing on schedule, I labored to the top of Star Dune again, this time with a 40-pound pack in much colder, semi-rainy weather. It was one of the more tiring hikes I've ever done.

But, it was all going to be worth it! I just knew how it would play out: once the sun started to set, its golden, late-day light would illuminate the dunes and clouds in a breathtaking display that would make grown men weep. All my hard work and days of waiting would pay off in spades.

The sky was thick with dynamic clouds as desired, but, thankfully, right above western horizon there was a horizontal sliver of clear sky -- just enough for the sun to poke through for a few precious minutes. That would be all I needed. I was in position and ready to rock. Bring it on!!

As the moment of truth neared, electric nervousness coursed through me -- I had so much riding on the success of this one image. Then, finally, after what seemed like forever, it happened. The sun's rays burst upon the scene like a supernova. They hit the westernmost dunes first, then slowly crawled across the rest of the dune sea. I was beyond ecstatic, literally yelling "F*CK YEAH!!" over and over. (Sorry, kids.) My face was stuck in a big perma-grin as I waited for the sunlight to light up the whole scene.

Then, something caught my eye that erased my smile faster than a dead kitten.

A cloud had moved in on one side of the open sliver of sky to the west. It was a small cloud -- a puny cloud -- but that tiny little sadistic clump of water vapor distressed me more than a loaded gun in my face. It was partially blocking the sun's rays just enough so that only part of my image was being lit up. If that evil cloud had been just a tad to the side -- literally, just a tad! -- things would've been ok. But, it was not.

As I watched in horror, the few-minute window of sunlight started to ebb, and the crushing realization that my image would not be illuminated in the way I'd hoped and all my work would be for naught gripped me like a brain freeze. There would be no hero image for me that day.

I stood there completely numb for several minutes in a state of disbelief and bitter disappointment. Then, I began uttering a few phrases that aren't appropriate for this blog.

During the long, dark and draining hike back to my car, I tried to put it in perspective. This was nothing new. What had happened to me has happened to countless photographers over the years (just ask well-known photographer Ian Plant), and would undoubtedly happen again. Welcome to the life of a landscape photographer!

And, the fact is, I did this to myself. No one made me take this trip. I could've just as easily stayed home and sat in the hot tub drinking beer. Besides, I still got to be immersed in nature for a week, and that's what it's all about. At least that's what I keep telling myself. ^_^

Lastly, there's always next time. And, I will be back. Be forewarned, dunes.

Before I go, I thought you'd like to see the image that almost was. As you can see, the sunlight never got where I wanted it. Imagine if that whole scene had been lit like the dunes in the foreground! For comparison, the second image was taken just minutes later, after the partial light show ended. Close, but no cigar.

Ansel Adams once said, "Landscape photography is the supreme test of the photographer -- and often the supreme disappointment".

He was right.

Making chicken salad out of chicken sh*t.

2011-09-30T18:25:00.008-05:00

Last month, I once again journeyed to Great Sand Dunes National Park to photograph the amazing dunes. Being that the dunes roll on for almost 40 square miles, there were plenty of spots (read: almost all of them) that I hadn't been to. So, this time, I set out for the northeast corner, an area with not a single footprint to be found.

Once I finished the strenuous hike to the top, I began scouting for good compositions to use in the upcoming sunset. To my dismay, try as I might, I just couldn't find anything I liked. It was frustrating, because normally the dunes offer me something that more than tickles my fancy (like this, for example). This time, though... nothing. Welcome to the life of a landscape photographer: sometimes, that's just the way it goes. To make matters worse, the clouds were not cooperating at all and were completely absent from behind the Sangre de Cristo mountains where I wanted to make my image.

But, all was not lost! With a little help from Mother Nature, I was about to make lemonade outta lemons. (Thanks, Mom!)

As the sun started to set, I noticed in the distance that a bunch of people were hanging out at the top of High Dune, which is where 90% of those who actually make it to the top of the dunes go. Even better, a bank of clouds was billowing directly above them, and it was starting to coming alive with brilliant sunset hues. Turns out the dunes had something to offer after all.

Please be sure to view the large version, as it makes it easier to see the people atop High Dune. (Although admittedly they're still just dots -- a large print is really the best way to view this image. I posted a close up of the people below the image so that you can see the detail.)

That's all for now. Until next time, take care. And be nice to your mom! ^_^

High Atop The Dune Summit

Twilight Delight

2011-08-31T22:04:00.020-05:00

As promised, here is some wildflower action straight from the mountains of Colorado. That's right: I'm getting right to the point this time. (Hey! Don't act so relieved.)

On day two, our campsite was in an idyllic field of wildflowers. Literally right in the middle of it! One had to be careful not to step on a flower. Just after dusk, a curious fox emerged to inspect the situation, and with him came good luck.

Later that evening, I made this image. It was a perfectly still night, very silent and beautiful. Here's to you, Mr. Fox. ^_^

Be sure to check out the LARGE VERSION of this one -- it really does it a lot more justice.

As always, thanks for reading and, until next time, take care. And don't forget to stargaze at least once before summer's over!

"Twilight Delight"

Flower Power!

2011-07-31T23:06:00.009-05:00

Vampires would hate me right now.

After today's wildflower shoot, my veins are drier than a calculus lecture. There's not a drop of blood left -- my heart might as well take the rest of the night off.

So, where did all my blood go? Well, it didn't exactly go anywhere -- it was taken. Stolen. Snatched from my body against my will! That's right, today I was blood-raped. And all I'm guilty of is trying to make some art. Sheesh.

Of course, the perpetrator of this heinous act was none other than the Mighty Minnesota Mosquito. Him, and a few hundred of his damn friends. Yep, the Purveyors of the Prairie made quick work of me today.

Nevertheless, I came away with a decent image. And, it's a good thing, too! I leave for the wildflower country of central Colorado in a few days and the last thing I need is a bad-luck omen. Of course, some might say that getting gang-raped by a bunch of murderous insects is a pretty bad sign in itself. Not me, though. I got the shot, and that's all that matters.

Below is the image from today's shoot. I hope you like it -- I almost died making it, after all.

Next month, I should have some new wildflower images from Colorado. They say it's a record bloom this year, so I have high hopes. Until then, take care. And don't forget your bug spray! ^_^

"Summer On The Prairie"

Boulder Mountain Magic

2011-06-30T21:13:00.010-05:00

As a kid growing up in the 80's, my favorite movie character was Indiana Jones. I was enthralled by the way he could think his way out of just about any situation. He was a master at improvisation, and that mastery was demonstrated over and over in the three Indy films (let us not speak of the abomination that was the fourth movie).

As a nature photographer, that same ability to adapt and improvise is crucial. Last November, when Marc Adamus and I were shooting in Utah, improvisation literally saved the day.

Late on our final day of shooting, we were trying to get to Capitol Reef National Park in time for sunset. By the time we reached Boulder Mountain, still a ways from the park, it became clear that we weren't going to make it. So, what did we do?

We improvised.

We pulled our vehicles over and had a quick discussion. After a few minutes, we reached a consensus: we would stop right where we were and make the best of what Boulder Mountain had to offer. It turned out to be a fortuitous decision.

We quickly fanned out across the area, each of us scouting on our own for good compositions. We didn't see each other for several hours. When all was said and done, we both came away with images we were happy with. Marc made this beauty, and I created the image you see below.

Improvisation and adjusting on-the-fly had turned lemons into lemonade for us. Later that night, we camped on Boulder Mountain and celebrated a successful trip with a roaring fire and our good friend Don Julio. ^_^

Tree of Triumph

Celebrating With Don

Eat your heart out, Bob Marley.

2011-05-31T23:33:00.007-05:00

Zion.

If you listen to reggae music, then you've no doubt heard that word many times. In the world of reggae, Zion refers to a Utopian place of unity, peace and freedom. Heaven, if you will.

So, knowing that, it just seems natural that they named Zion National Park like they did. There's a reason it's one of the most visited national parks in the world: it's heaven on Earth.

I'm not going to launch into a big speech about the wonders of Zion National Park -- a few minutes with your good friend Google is all you need. Plus, it'll save you the horrors of witnessing my attempts at eloquence. Nope, I'm just going to show you my favorite image I made while there on a moonlit sunset last November. You know what they say: a picture is worth a thousand words. Well, it's probably worth two thousand of my words. ^_^

As always a larger version can be seen HERE in my Landscape Galleries. Until next time, take care.

"Zion Twilight"

I usually hate getting carded...

2011-04-30T16:24:00.018-05:00

...but not this time.

Recently, three of my images (specifically: this one, this one, and this one) were selected by Sun Day Greetings for use in their greeting card line. They sent me some samples of the cards, and I must say that they're pretty nicely done. Stop by their site and check 'em out!

That's about all I have for now. I've been busy writing a photo essay about St. Croix for publication on Nature Photographers Online Magazine. When it's done, I'll be sure and post it here. Until then, take care. And send a card to someone you love! ^_^

Every dog has its day.

2011-03-29T19:47:00.062-05:00

Bob Marley was right.

In one of his most famous songs, he crooned, "Everything's gonna be all right." And, it certainly was for me this winter here on St. Croix.

In my previous post, I talked about my goal of 1) becoming established as a landscape photographer here, and 2) making top-notch images of the island. I also talked about my then-upcoming solo show and live auction. I'm happy to report that I was successful on all fronts.

The live auction went well. I sold my large piece for more than my generous minimum and got some great exposure. The solo show went even better. I sold 50% more than my target and made lots of new contacts.

Of course, driving all of this was the images themselves.

I spent more time shooting this winter than the previous ten combined. I was out in the field shooting every single day for weeks at a time. (That's not counting time spent scouting, editing, etc.) I explored nearly every nook and cranny on the entire island -- if there was an unexplored dirt road -- any unexplored dirt road -- I went down it. I now know the island better than many people who've lived here their whole lives. And you know what? It was very rewarding! I now have a deeper connection to this place than ever, and I believe it's shown through in my work.

Speaking of my work, let's get to it, shall we?

Below are all the new images created this past December through March. Most of these were in my solo show. Please note that these weren't the only images that were in the show -- these are just the ones created this winter. You can view larger versions of all of these as well as all my other St. Croix images in my St. Croix Gallery.

Well, that about does it for now. Take care, and listen to Bob Marley whenever you can. ^_^

"Under The Seagrapes"

"Moonlit Cane Bay"

"Hidden Gem"

"The Golden Hour"

"A Window To The Past"

"Defiant Beauty"

"Caledonia Cascade"

"Immortal Monolith"

"Jewel Of The Jungle"

"Shining Sugar Mill"

"Cane Bay Explosion"

Filling The Void

2011-01-31T12:20:00.018-06:00

AbsolutelyfrigginNUTS!

That newly coined word (I'll expect royalties if you use it) is the best way to describe the past two months. For the first time in the decade since I first started visiting and living on St. Croix, I've begun to make a concerted effort at becoming established as THE landscape photographer on the island. I've often felt that good landscape photography is somewhat of an unfilled niche here, and I'm endeavoring to be the one that fills it.

Thus far, it's gone very well.

For starters, some of my work has been accepted into the fabulous D&D Studio, which is the only fine art photography gallery on the island, and believe it or not, the entire Caribbean. Next, the resturaunt Bacchus, one of the finest resturaunts onisland, will be displaying some of my work in their dining room. In addition, some of my work has been selected for a prestigious live auction in March. The auction director feels certain my work will perform very well with her high-end clients. (Here's to hoping she's right!) Lastly, and best off all, I have an upcoming solo show on February 26th at the new MacheteMachete gallery in downtown Christiansted. At the show, I will be unveiling all new images from around the island.

Below is a sneak peak of what will be found at the show. You'll have to wait until February 26th to see the rest, so I hope you can make it. If not, I will have all the images posted to my site within a couple days after the show. Until next time, take care! (And keep warm if you're currently in the Great White North.) ^_^

Mahogany Waterfall

Shining Sugarmill

Cane Bay Explosion

Out Of This World!

2010-12-13T19:43:00.005-06:00

As promised, here are some more images from my recent trip to the southwestern US, this time without the silly cowboy accent (you can exhale now).

These images are from a place called White Pocket. A very ordinary name for a very extraordinary place. My first thought upon arriving was, "What in the HELL?!" Primitive, I know, but honestly, in all my travels I'd never seen anything like it. Not even under my couch.

At first, it was hard not to believe that these formations were the calling card of aliens and UFO's. Turns out these "brain rocks" as they're called are nothing more than petrified sand dunes, which almost came as a let down.

Nevertheless, as photography subjects, they were without equal. I spent hours exploring the area. Then, way in a far flung corner, I found this spot where these little round pebbles had been driven into the cracks in the brain rock by the wind. I sat for hours alone in this spot waiting for the sun to drop. It was the most peaceful time I had on the entire trip.

That's all for now. I'll have more images from the trip soon. Until then, take care!

Alien World (Large version HERE.)

Dragon Scales

Yippee ki-yay, motherfuc*er!

2010-11-30T15:17:00.028-06:00

Howdy, partner! Rustle up a chair and perk up your ears, for I got me a tale that needs a-tellin' and I reckon you're gonna like it.

I'm recently returned from my expedition to the southwestern US, and holy cow what an adventure it was! I moseyed through numerous slot canyons and deserts, snuck onto an Indian reservation, ran over many a poor tumbleweed, drank some coffee that would wake the dead, slogged miles up a swift-movin' river, slept in sub-freezin' temps, and imbibed copious amounts of beer.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot: I shot me some photography, too.

Okay, okay, ya' got me: I'm bein' a tad disingenuous. Truth is, I came away with more "keeper" shots than possibly any other week of shootin' I've ever had. Yes indeedy, ya' might just say it was an incredibly productive outin'. And you'd be right.

Since I've so many images from this trip, I'mma gonna break with my tradition of postin' 'em all at once and and instead display 'em over several different upcomin' photoblog posts. That way, I'll be able to explain a bit more in-depth about each one and YOU'LL have more photoblog posts to look forward to than usual. Ya' lucky son-of-a-gun!

First up is an image I call "Hall Of Faces". It was created in a scarcely-known slot canyon in northern Arizona. I'm afraid I can't divulge the exact location, because it's on an Indian reservation and we weren't technically allowed in there, but we went anyway. (Just chalk it up to that good ol' outlaw spirit!) Anyhow, what makes this here image special is the floor. There are a good many slot canyons in Arizona and Utah, but the vast majority of 'em are very well known and thus overrun with tourists and photographers and other sorts of unsavory characters. To find one with an undisturbed floor, especially one with ripples in the sand like this one, is quite rare. That's why most shots of slot canyons ya' see don't show the dag-nabbin' floor. But, without the floor, it's damn near impossible to show a sense of place and scale like I was able to do here. My reasoning for the image's title should be readily apparent. Can ya' see the faces? (If not, suck down a couple barley-pops and then take another gander.)

Hall Of Faces (Large version HERE.)

Next is an image entitled "Distorted Hallway". Like the previous image, it's from that same secret slot canyon and it has the sand and mud ripples in the floor. It is quite a surreal and nearly confusing spot, hence the title.

Distorted Hallway (Large version HERE.)

Before I go, I'd like to holler a big "THANK YOU KINDLY" to my good pal and master photographer Marc Adamus. Once again, he made the trip all it could be. Without him, I'd a-never found many of the places we explored. Lastly, I'd also like to give a nod to Marc's friend Colin, a fellow photographer and nice fella who accompanied us on our ramblin's.

Well, that about does it. Until next time, stay safe and keep your cards to your chest. ^_^

Good things come...

2010-10-31T21:34:00.025-05:00

...to those who wait. Or so the old saying goes. And since I've kept you waiting for two months, I figured I'd give you something good: a bunch of new images.

These are all miscellaneous images from the past year. I needed to get them done, displayed and cleared out of my workload before I leave in less than two weeks. (And I did... on time! *gasp* Wonders never cease.)

Once again, I will be rendezvousing with friend and renowned landscape photographer Marc Adamus, this time in the southwestern US. When I return in late November, I will have a whole mess of new images to show you, many from places few have ever seen.

Until then, take care. And Happy Halloween! ^_^

Passing Alpine Thunderstorm

Mating Monarchs

Sunset at Hamm's Bluff

Dense Forest at Sunset

Rutting Bull Elk

Elk Silhouette

Little Tree On the Prairie

Sprague Lake Sunrise

Wild Comma Flutterby

Picture Perfect Picnic Spot

Sunbathing Marmot

Summer at Independence Pass

Tumultuous Tidepools

An International Adventure.

2010-08-27T17:01:00.007-05:00

Last month, some friends joined my girlfriend and I on a trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Every time I've gone there, some sort of adventure has followed. This time outdid them all.

Without going into too much detail, one of our group injured himself fairly seriously, and we had to administer first aid in the field. All that Boy Scout training finally paid off. What makes it far more interesting is that the injury occurred while we were a bit... lost. Turns out our map was incorrect. (That sure is heartening -- a map, which pretty much only exists to PREVENT you from getting lost -- was wrong, and got us, um, lost.)

Once we found our bearings, we realized that we had been on Canadian soil when my friend got injured. So, in addition to being injured and lost, we had also illegally crossed an international border. Yep, we were injured lost illegal aliens. And we weren't even near Mexico.

Below is a photo from near our campsite on Rose Lake. The rocks in the foreground are Minnesota. And the land on the horizon is -- you guessed it -- Canada. You can view the large version HERE.

Don't forget that I'm out at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival every Saturday and Sunday until October selling the posters I made of Twig the Fairy. Hope to see you out there!

Until next time, take care. ^_^

Rose Lake Sunset

It's a tree! It's a branch! It's a... Twig?

2010-07-31T18:07:00.025-05:00

Time for a trip down memory lane.

Remember my encounter three summers ago with Twig the Fairy? Well, ever since then I've always wanted to collaborate with her on a photography project. I always knew that together we could make some knockout images. I actually tried to contact her a few times that summer to see if she wanted to work together, but to no avail. (Getting ahold of fairies is no easy task. They don't exactly have cell phones, ya' know?.) After awhile, I gave up trying to contact her. I figured if it was meant to be, it would happen somehow.

And then, this past April, happen it did.

One day, out of the blue, there was Twig. She had somehow found me. I told her of my idea and she liked it. And a partnership was born.

Earlier this month, she and I went out into the local Minnesota wilderness and made some images. I gotta say, I'm quite proud of 'em -- they exceeded even my already-lofty expectations. I really poured my heart into making them. I hope you like them, too. (Be SURE to view the larger versions in my Twig the Fairy Gallery. They do the photos much, much more justice.)

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT: Beginning August 21st, we'll be selecting three of these images and making large, high-quality posters of them for sale at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. I'll be out there everyday, as will be Twig, of course. Stop by and say hello, and if you're lucky, Twig will grace your poster with her autograph. (I'd offer my autograph, too, but all we'd hear is crickets chirping.)

Well, I gotta get going. I've gotta start preparing my stomach for an onslaught of turkey drumsticks and mead. Take care! ^_^

P.S. If you'd like to learn more about Twig, her Facebook page is the way to go.

Street Life

2010-06-30T19:24:00.010-05:00

Recently, I had the opportunity to get on top of the overhang of the world famous First Avenue music venue in downtown Minneapolis. How and why did I get up there? Believe it or not, I wasn't trying to evade the police. (Although, if I were, the top of the overhang would be an excellent spot.) Actually, I'm just not going to tell you how or why I got up there, because it's not important.

What is important is the image I created while up there.

This image is both a reflection of the street corner below as well as a view through the window at the back of the bar's liquor rack. See how the liquor bottles read correctly, while the street components (Hard Rock logo, taxi cab, etc.) read backwards?

I feel it makes for a nice juxtaposition of life both inside and outside the club. Street life, baby. Street life.

The large version can be viewed HERE.

They say "persistence pays". Turns out they're right.

2010-05-20T20:39:00.018-05:00

Remember the St. Croix landscape images I've mentioned the last couple times? Well, I ended up spending all of my energy on creating just one. But she's a beauty, and she's ready to show.

I found this spot on the west end of St. Croix, US Virgin Islands, in early April while scouting locations. The island in the center is a seastack, which are rare in the Virgin Islands. This is the only seastack I've ever found on St. Croix in ten years.

I returned to this remote spot several different times over the course of three weeks and shot the sunset. I had to be on my guard to keep my camera dry while shooting near the crashing waves -- my feet were often in a foot of water. On the last sunset before I had to leave the island for the summer -- my very last chance to get what I wanted without having to wait until next winter -- I finally got it. So many times we landscape photographers bust our humps and the weather doesn't cooperate -- it's very rewarding when persistence pays off and we finally do get what we're looking for.

I honestly think this is one of the strongest images I've ever made in the Virgin Islands. I hope you dig it, too. Be sure and look at the large version of this -- it really does it much more justice.

Well, that about does it for this latest entry into the Greatest Photoblog In The Entire Known Universe. I hope after reading it, you will now march forth, with your newly-acquired divine knowledge of seastacks firmly in hand, and solve world hunger. Or, at least smile a little. ^_^

The Only Seastack

(Click HERE for large version.)

Dolphins!

2010-04-30T18:42:00.005-05:00

There are some things in this world that just about everybody loves. Puppies. Rainbows. Sunsets. Politicians getting caught lying. Me making a fool of myself. You get the idea.

I think we can safely add another thing to that list: dolphins. Besides being the smartest animals on Earth, they are very playful and just plain CUTE! Getting to see and interact with one, especially in nature, is a rare treat that many have yearned for.

In my time in the Virgin Islands, I have been lucky enough to encounter dolphins in the wild not once, not twice, but three times! (They must be attracted to clumsiness.)

The most recent of those times was just eight days ago. While sailing the 40-mile stretch from St. Croix to St. John, a pair of dolphins swam up to my boat and proceeded to frolic all around for about 45 minutes. It was unforgettable!

The icing on the cake was the weather: it was dead calm. Now, for a sailboat, this is not ideal (we had to motor most of the way). But, for photographing underwater critters, it's perfect! The stillness of the water allowed me to see the dolphins easily even when they were deep underwater. That made it much easier to follow them and capture them at just the right moment when they breached the surface. In addition, the calmness combined with the unusually thick cloud cover created what were honestly the most surreal conditions I've ever seen in ten years in the islands.

Take a look and see for yourself. Please view the LARGE versions where applicable, as they do the photos much more justice.

Until next time, take care! I'll be back soon with those landscape images from St. Croix that I talked about last time. ^_^

Approaching Dolphins

Underwater Pals (Large version HERE.)

Follow Us! (Large version HERE.)

Close Encounter

Close Encounter II

Huzzah!

2010-03-31T16:06:00.013-05:00

Huzzah! I feel great! Why? Because I just got my camera replaced. (Yep, I wrecked another one. Again. I am now quite certain that the ocean has a personal vendetta against my electronics.)

I've got about a month left here in the Virgin Islands, and now that I'm back in action, I will be churning out quite a few landscape images before I leave. In fact, I've already begun scouting locations, and should have the first images posted soon.

It just feels so GOOD to be out shooting again. Which is why I say: Huzzah!!

And, speaking of "Huzzah", I have a special image to show you. It's from the closing ceremony of the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. It's not easy to get a spot up front to photograph this, but I have my ways. Hope you enjoy it. The larger version can be found here.

As always, take care, and I'll be back soon with landscapes from the Caribbean.

P.S. I'd like to give a BIG thanks to fellow photographer Kelly Greer. She helped me in a big way when my camera was on the fritz. Thanks, Kelly!!

Oregon Odyssey #4: A Difference Of Opinions

2010-02-23T21:18:00.005-06:00

As I've said before, my friend and companion on this odyssey, Marc Adamus, is currently one of the best landscape photographers in the country, if not the world. As such, I give my utmost attention to everything he has to say about photography. He is a treasure trove of knowledge and a great teacher.

So, it is exceedingly rare that I disagree with his advice. Yet, the photo I'm about to show you is one such case. (Hey, at least that proves I can think for myself at least once in a blue moon, right?)

This is a very little known waterfall in the Colombia River Gorge in northern Oregon. Now, there are plenty of rarely visited waterfalls in the Gorge, but what makes this one special is its close proximity to an urban area. We were literally able to drive our vehicles right to the foot of this beauty, close enough that the spray from the falls obscured our windshields. And we had the whole place to ourselves. Pretty unusual, I'd say.

Soon after we arrived, we busied ourselves with photographing the falls. When we finished, I asked if we could walk downstream a ways and explore. Marc was happy to oblige. When we came upon this spot in the photo, I immediately said to Marc that I thought there was a strong photograph there. To my surprise, he disagreed. He said that he'd looked at a similar shot many times in the past, but it never measured up for him. He just didn't like it. I for one certainly did like it and proceeded to shoot it with gusto. The results are below. Please be sure to view the LARGE VERSION, it does it much more justice.

I dunno. I have supreme respect for Marc's abilities, but even he is human. Perhaps this marks the first time that I saw something he didn't? Tough to say, I'll let you be the judge. But I think you know how I feel. Me likey. ^_^

Well, that's the last of the photos I have to show from my Oregon Odyssey. I hope you've enjoyed it as much as I did showing it to you.

Next time, I'll have some new stuff to show you from a completely different photo session. Till then, take care.

"Near The Source"

Oregon Odyssey #3: The Difference Between Life and Death

2010-01-29T15:14:00.012-06:00

While in a random, desert-like part of eastern Oregon, we came upon a very unusual area. It was a sea of sand dunes... with trees growing in it. Never in any of my travels had I seen this. It was exciting because it offered the opportunity to create some unique photographs. I wasted no time in doing so, most often using the ripples in the sand as foregrounds leading the eye into the photograph towards the main subject: the trees, of course.

While we were busy shooting away, Marc taught me something that I had never really considered. He said that, most times, dead trees -- not living ones -- made the most interesting subjects. As soon as he said it, I knew he was right. It made perfect sense, I just hadn't really thought about it. Dead trees often have a peculiar aura -- they tell a story.

We soon came upon a dead tree that drove the point home. Although the living trees that we had been shooting were definitely photogenic subjects, this dead one was clearly more interesting. It seemed ominous, almost... wise. Something about it just made it seem more... intriguing than the other trees.

So, time for you to see for yourself. Below are two of the trees I shot that day. Both are similar compositions, but I think you'll agree that they have are totally different images. What do you think? Can you see the difference I'm talking about?

Look at 'em for awhile. I think you'll see it.

'Till next time. Take care! ^_^

Against The Grain (Large version here.)

Untitled

Oregon Odyssey #2: Balmy and Zero Degrees

2009-12-24T15:49:00.011-06:00

Well, after an unexpected delay, I'm back with the next photos from my Oregon trip. Being that much of the country is going to have a very, very white Christmas, I thought it'd be a good time to break out these two photos.

These were taken in the Three Sisters Wilderness in central Oregon. I did several new things here. First, I'd never been to this place before. Second, I'd never been show shoeing before. Third, I'd never backpacked in snowshoes before. And, last, but certainly not least, I'd never camped in zero-degree weather before. I did all these things in the same night, and let me tell you, it was exhilarating!

Remember my broken, dislocated hip from last March? (Yeah, so do I.) Anyway, when you factor that in, I was actually pretty proud that I was able to do this. I carried a 55 pound pack 1.5 miles up a mountain, through a forest, wearing snowshoes, in three feet of snow, in some very cold weather. Now, for a guy like Marc, that's nothing, but for me, it was an accomplishment. I'm going to continue to heal, and by next year, I'll be ready to go further.

The next morning, we rose before sunrise, and trekked the last half mile to the top of the pass. From there, I captured the photo you see below. I call it Three Sisters Sunrise, and I hope you enjoy it. The other photo is of yours truly, and is just for laughs. Which is usually what people do when viewing photos of me anyhow.

I'll have more photos from the trip soon. 'Till then, take care. And, maybe go buy some snowshoes -- looks like many of you are gonna need 'em. ^_^

Three Sisters Sunrise

Look, Ma! I can't feel my face!

Oregon Odyssey #1: Lines In The Desert

2009-11-25T17:12:00.004-06:00

They say time flies when you're having fun. Turns out they're right. I ended up having so much fun in Oregon with Marc that I never made it to Yosemite National Park as planned. Instead, we ended up criss-crossing Oregon to the tune of 1,700 miles in just nine days. Rainforests, deserts, mountains, sand dunes, lakebeds, cities -- you name it, we traversed it. The roads varied from smooth pavement to very rough dirt axle-breakers. My minivan damn near mutinied on me.

At one point, I stupidly left my very expensive tripod on top of my vehicle and forgot about it. So, guess what? Yep: we had to backtrack 150 miles looking for a proverbial needle in a haystack. I think it was my minivan's way of exacting its revenge. But, I had the last laugh, because, against all odds, we found my tripod laying on the side of the road. It was a high-five moment, to be sure.

Below are two of my favorite images from the trip. They are from the Alvord Desert region of Oregon. It's one of Marc's favorite places on Earth, and I can see why. It offers things you just don't see anywhere else. The lines you see in the photos are salt deposits left from lakeshores that evaporated. These photos are from the very last 24 hours of our trip. The Alvord can be very rewarding if you are willing to make the journey.

I will be back soon with more images from my Oregon Odyssey. 'Till then, take care. And be nice to your car. ^_^

Alvord Desert Sunrise (Large version here.)

Meandering Salt Line (Large version here.)

Three for the road!

2009-11-04T23:40:00.009-06:00

Prepare yourself for some crippling disappointment: I'm not going to pontificate much today. I know, it's hard to accept, but after you've finished bawling your eyes out, read on.

My reason for being to the point is this: it's late, and early tomorrow morning, I leave for a three-week road trip to the Pacific Northwest. I will be shooting in a place I've always wanted to, but never been: Yosemite National Park. Even better, I will once again be rendezvousing in Oregon with world renowned landscape photographer Marc Adamus. Last year, he and I really hit it off, and I expect this year will be no different. He's going to take me to some rarely seen places, and I couldn't be more thrilled.

For now, I have three images to show you from my recent trip to Olympic National Park. I was caught off guard by how diverse and beautiful the park is. This was primarily a scouting expedition, as the main reason I was in the area was to visit an old friend in Seattle. Thus, I only had a day and a half in the park, along with only my camera, two lenses and a tabletop tripod.

I will definitely be back in the future for a proper photography trip, one where I can really give the park its due.

Autumn Rainforest

This is from the Hoh Rainforest area of the park. This is an image I've always wanted to make, yet have never been able to, because A) I just don't get to the Pacific NW very often, and B) forest images are notoriously difficult to shoot. Finding a spot that has the right light and room to make a good composition is not easy.

Old and New

I was surprised to find such vibrant fall color. The juxtaposition of the young and old tree along with the vivid colors was what persuaded me to make this image.

Second Beach Sunset

This was taken at Second Beach, which is one of the many spectacular beaches in the coastal section of the park. I visited about ten different beaches in the area, and this was the one that was the most visually stunning to me.

Well, that about does it. As usual, you can see larger versions of these photos in my Best Of Gallery. Thanks for looking and take care!

It's been an honor.

2009-10-16T18:48:00.016-05:00

Well, at long last, the photographs from Darren and Erin's wedding are done. Rather than make my usual pontifications, I'm going to keep it short. I'd just like to say that I was honored that they asked me to do this for them. I hope that I lived up to their expectations.

Below you will see some of my personal favorites from the big day. To see larger versions of these and all the rest of the photos, please go to Darren and Erin's Wedding gallery. (If you can't figure out the password, just email me.)

Thanks for looking and take care.

Nearly nerve-racking nuptials.

2009-09-30T15:52:00.011-05:00

(I know what you're thinking: "Wow! Kory actually updated this photoblog TWO days in a row?!". Yep, it's true. If you look out your window, you'll probably see pigs soaring through the air.)

As I said in my last blog entry, I recently shot my first wedding. It was, to say the least, quite an experience.

If I learned one thing about shooting weddings, it's this: it ain't easy. While overall I don't think it's as demanding as landscape photography, it definitely has its own set of challenges. It's much more fast-paced and stressful, because A) these are some of the most important photos people will ever have taken, and B) you only have one chance to get it right. Try telling Mr. and Mrs. Newlywed that you screwed up the shots from their wedding kiss and see how many milliseconds it takes them to pummel you.

And, that's the biggest challenge of all: the people. It's the people you are working for that can really make or break you. Every family is different. Some are easy going and some are... not. Ever seen that TV show Bridezillas? Think about actually trying to work with someone like that, and worse, trying to satisfy them. Ahaha... hoo-boy. I'd rather take an acid bath.

Luckily for me, I got to deal with some of the nicest and warmest people ever: my friends Darren and Erin.

We've been good friends for years, so when they asked me to photograph their wedding, I was happy to do it. Sure, the pressure to "get it right" was still there, but just knowing that my employers were people with hearts of gold made it manageable. And, in the end, I feel that I did a pretty good job. Yes, there were some snafus, but overall I'm quite happy with the results. I think they will be, too.

Before I go, I have one piece of sage advice: "It's not easy to both be a guest at a wedding AND photograph it at the same time. Tread with care all who consider doing so."

And now without further ado, here's that teaser shot I promised last time. It's of the stunningly beautiful bride, Erin, and her four brothers. It's one of my personal favorites from the day. Enjoy, and I'll be back with the rest as soon as I can, probably in a couple weeks.

Bride and Brothers

Out of the frying pan and into the fire.

2009-09-29T18:05:00.009-05:00

I'm tired.

It's been about 10 days since I returned from my trek through Colorado, and I've scarcely had a moment to think. I've been volunteering all of my weekends at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival for the past six weeks. (No, not as the village idiot. I asked; they said I wasn't smart enough.) That, combined with regular work, has robbed me of nearly all of my time. Only in the last couple of days have I been able to begin the gargantuan -- and, let's face it, dull -- task of reviewing and editing all the photographs from the trip.

But, what a trip it was! In addition to my usual pursuit of landscape and wildlife photos and all that entails (getting up before sunrise, long hikes through the wilderness, long drives, etc.), I also shot my first wedding. I'll write more about my wedding experience next time. For now, I have one photo from the trip to show you.

This picture does a pretty good job of illustrating what I'm going through right now. It's a long, arduous trek to the top of Great Sand Dunes National Park, let me tell you. The wind was whipping, the weather stormy. But, despite the exertion involved, we carried on because it's all worth it in the end. So it is with me. I know that, despite the long hours that I will soon face behind the computer, once the photos from the trip are done, it will be worth it.

I call this one The Climb. Enjoy. I'll be back soon with a teaser from the wedding.

The Climb (large version HERE)

Close but no cigar.

2009-08-31T20:35:00.020-05:00

Being that I'm still recovering from my hip injury, I don't do a whole lot of running these days. So, it's kind of funny being called a "runner-up". Yet, that is indeed what I am.

I ended up taking second place in that photo contest I mentioned last month. I really would've liked to have won, but placing in the top 5 out of almost 600 entries isn't too bad I guess. Plus, I did win a bit of cash, and that's never a bad thing. THANK YOU very much to all who voted for me!

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The Boudary Waters trip was a blast. The weather was much drier this year, and our campsite was one of the best I've ever seen. It was like a fairy tale.

Ironically, the photography conditions weren't as good as last year's trip. All of the sunrises save for one were obscured by dense cloud cover. The sunsets were't much different, either. And, much of the area we based out of was fairly burned out by a recent fire. Still, I did come away with some keepers which I will elaborate on below. Most importantly though, we all had a smashingly good time and enjoyed getting the heck outta the city. That, my friends, is priceless. (Cue cheesy Mastercard commercial.)

Coming Together

This was taken right from our campsite during the only half decent sunset we had. Look closely and you can see many different islands in the lake. We never tired of gazing out on this scene.

Loon Family

This mother and her young ones visited our campsite many times each day. I'd like to think they were fond of us, but I think it was the campsite itself that drew them in. Even the wildlife knew that our campsite was awesome.

Fixin' Dinner

Sure it's easier to use a portable cook-stove to make dinner, but it's not as fun.

Going My Way?

This Ruffed Grouse was more than a little curious.

Ready for Adventure

On the dock and ready to depart less than an hour after sunrise.

Two for the road!

2009-07-29T22:04:00.008-05:00

Recently, I was looking through my digital negatives from past photography trips and managed to find a couple of "keepers" that I had overlooked previously. Since I'm leaving on another trip tomorrow, I thought it would be a good time to show those new-found beauties now, before I'm inundated with all the new shots I'll have from the trip.

Fire and Ice (larger size)

This first one is from Hawaii back in '05. We were lucky enough to be up the summit of Mauna Kea just after the area re-opened after a snowstorm. This is an abstract of the red volcanic soil and the wind-driven snow and ice that was interlaced with it.

Teddy Bear Nightmare (larger size)

This one is from my road trip through the western US last fall. It was taken in a Teddy Bear Cholla cactus garden near Joshua Tree National Park. Despite being extremely careful, I still got stuck by one of these little buggers. OUCH! It hurts more than you'd think. Hence the image title.

So, where am I going tomorrow? The good ol' Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. I should have some treats to show you when I get back. Let's just hope the weather is decent -- last year I thought I was gonna see Noah's Ark pass by our campsite. ^_^

P.S. If you haven't heard, I entered a local photography contest and made it to the final 10 out of almost 600 entries! The voting for the overall winner ends at noon, so if you're reading this in time, you could help me out by casting a vote for me (mine is the one that says "K. Lidstrom"). By the time I return from the BWCA, the winner will be revealed. Wish me luck!

It's here!!

2009-06-29T22:13:00.022-05:00

FINALLY! After what seemed like forever, my new camera finally arrived. I can't tell you how good it felt to have a camera again -- I almost cried when I saw it! I'm going to keep this blog entry short -- now that things are starting to return to normal, I want to spend more time taking pictures and less time talking about them. So, let's get on with it!

I thought the best way to break in the new gear would be to shoot one of my favorite subjects: butterflies. So, that's just what I did, and the camera performed flawlessly. I was able to capture several species that I hadn't seen before. Feast your eyes on these beauties, and remember that you can see these and many others in my Butterflies Gallery.

In the coming weeks, I have a Boundary Waters trip planned, among other things, so I should have more photos to display. Until then, take care.

A Paper Kite, also known as a Rice Paper butterfly or a Tree Nymph butterfly.

An Atala butterfly, also known as a Coontie Hairstreak.

A Red Spot Diadem butterfly hangs beneath a coneflower.

A Dark Blue Pansy. (Not what I'd want to be called if I was a butterfly.)

A Malaysian Lacewing.

An Emerald Swallowtail.

A Julia butterfly.

A Cydno Longwing.

A Common Mormon. (Does that mean it doesn't drink coffee?)

I'm back! Let's catch up!

2009-05-27T18:31:00.028-05:00

Whew! It's been about seven weeks since my last post, and things have been looking up. So, rather than starting with my usual incredibly witty jokes, I'm just going to dive right in and bring you up to speed. (I know, missing my zingers will most likely ruin your entire week, but you'll just have to carry on. Think happy thoughts!)

First off: my hip. I'm happy to say it's getting better all the time. I've been off of crutches for about a week now. I can't walk perfectly yet -- I still hobble -- but it sure beats the snot out of crutching. I'm still battling with my insurance company, but I *think* I'm going to come out on top. Famous last words, perhaps? We shall see in the coming weeks. They've won the battle, but the war will be mine, methinks.

Next: my camera. Nothing but positive news here. Unlike my health insurance company, my camera insurance company is being a total rock star and is replacing my ruined Canon 5D with a new Canon 5D Mark II!! It's on its way to me now. I can not WAIT to take it for a spin. Going from 12 megapixels to 21 (!) will be quite something. Not to mention being able to shoot HD-quality video. Perhaps I'll become a videographer as well? Oh, they're also replacing my ruined Canon 24-105mm lens. Not too shabby.

And now, let's get to the meat: the shots.

Last time, I mentioned a shot I took at Creque Dam. You will see that below, entitled, "Lost In Thought". Also, in my tree post from a couple months ago, I mentioned that I'd be posting a better version of that shot. And, voila, here it is, entitled, "Magic Tree".

Below those two shots, you will find a couple more shots from my Puerto Rico trip. These shots are just for fun, and can only be seen here on this blog post. They are not in my Fine Art Galleries.

Lastly, you will see a shot of an X-ray. Unlike the one I posted last time, this one is actually of ME. Yep, those are six titanium screws and a plate holding my hip together. Now, when someone tells me to "go get screwed" at least their comment will make sense. ^_^

Next time I post, I should have some images made with my new camera. Until then, take care!

"Lost In Thought" Click here to see and learn more.

"Magic Tree" Click here to see and learn more.

"Travellers Beware - Kaelly The Tonguer" (Only seen here.)

"Slice Of Life" (Only seen here.)

"My Hip X-ray" (Ouch.)

GIMMIE A BREAK! No, not that kind...

2009-04-16T13:02:00.006-05:00

Hell.

That single word best sums up my last few weeks. Let's take it from the beginning.

After my last post to this photoblog on March 3rd, I finally started to kick my photography here in the Virgin Islands into high gear. I had a very productive shoot in the rainforest in which I stumbled upon a very rare butterfly hideout. Some Zebra Longwing butterflies were loitering in a small enclave and were unusually photogenic -- most of the time, butterflies in the wild are notoriously difficult to shoot as they never sit still for very long. These were incredibly docile and gave me what is probably the best outing I've EVER had shooting butterflies in the wild. Needless to say, I got some very nice images from the shoot.

Even better, my assistant and I had an incredible shoot at Creque Dam, a very special and rare body of water right in the middle of the rainforest. I created some beautiful, moody compositions in which some last minute, blood red clouds cooperated beautifully and put the images over the top. I came away with what I feel might just be the single best image I've EVER gotten in St. Croix in all the years I've been shooting here.

Furthermore, we had scheduled a photo shoot of something I'd always wanted to do: a sunrise shoot at the secluded Jacks Bay where I was going to do both some landscape shooting as well as some model/swimsuit stuff (no, not of myself, silly).

In short, things were going spectacularly. And then came Hell: Monday, March 3oth.

Most of the day was great. I sailed my boat to beautiful Buck Island National Monument and had a very fun, relaxing day. But then, on they way back to the dock, my dinghy suddenly took on water and ruined my camera. Yes, my Canon 5D. Yes, the very same camera that had JUST gotten repaired from water damage only a few months ago. Dear God, why me?!

Well, the worst was over, right? Wrong. Oh so unbelievably, horribly and utterly wrong.

Later that same night, a mere couple of hours after the camera incident, I was running down the steps of my house, when I fell, dislocated and fractured my left hip! Sweet Jesus, I have never felt so much pain in my entire 33 years. I literally laid there screaming in excruciating pain for 30 minutes until the ambulance arrived. I spent 14 days in the hospital, completely bedridden and unable to move my left leg. Two hospitals on two different islands, two surgeries, two cat scans, several X-rays, and a crapload of painkillers later, here I am, back home on St. Croix. I will be in crutches for the next 6-10 weeks. I will be returning to Minnesota at the end of April.

Until then, I will unfortunately not be able to post my latest photos. You can be assured that sometime in May, I will be back in business and will have them posted here. Please don't worry about me. I am keeping a good attitude, and am thankful that I have health insurance and that it wasn't my neck or back that was broken. I am slowly on the mend and will be up and running before you know it.

Before I go, I wanted to keep with my tradition of always posting at least one picture. This is a photoblog after all, right? Here is a picture of an injury roughly similar to mine, courtesy of howstuffworks.com. I know it's not a photo that I took, but given the circumstances, I think you'll understand and give me a pass this one time.

Thanks for reading and take care.

Tree-mendous!

2009-03-03T11:20:00.005-06:00

I love trees. No, I'm not a "treehugger" (although my friends would probably say I look and smell like one), but I do have a great respect for them. "Respect? Huh?" Yep, you heard me: respect. Didn't your mom ever tell you to respect your elders? Well, if mom was right, then trees deserve oceans of respect. They live a heckuva lot longer than we do, and some of them, like the bristlecone pines in the western US, are the oldest living things in the world, many being well over four thousand years old. (I bet the Vikings still had a crappy quarterback even then.)

But it's not just their long life that deserves respect. Trees do an incredible service to the entire planet by converting carbon dioxide, a harmful greenhouse gas, into life-affirming oxygen. Furthermore, they provide habitat for a plethora of life forms, as well as building material and a heat/fuel source for people the world over since time immemorial. And, who hasn't had fun in a tree house at one time or another? Or swung from a rope tied to a tree limb and leapt into the water?

By now I think you get my point: trees are pretty darn nifty, and I love 'em.

For a photographer though, especially a nature photographer, there is another, even more beloved aspect of trees: they way they look. They are among the most photogenic subjects in nature. Browse through the gallery of just about any nature photographer, and you will see images of trees. Ansel Adams? Yep. Jim Brandenburg? You betcha. Marc Adamus? Naturally. And yours truly? Of course!

So you can be sure that I was tickled pink when I (or rather, my assistant) spotted this tree in the rainforest of St. Croix, in the US Virgin Islands. I had driven right past this tree countless times, but never did it look like this. For some reason, its bark displayed colors that I've never seen in any tree. Maybe it's something in the air? Beats me. All I know is that it's probably the most interesting tree trunk I've ever seen. I spent quite awhile trying different compositions and waiting for the lizards to stop in the right spot. This shot is the best of the bunch. I'm not posting a larger version to my main galleries just yet, because I plan on returning and getting an even better shot. I'll post the results when I'm done.

Till then, take care. And go plant a tree. ^_^

We're experiencing technical difficulties, please stand by... while I smash my equipment into smithereens.

2009-02-11T18:10:00.008-06:00

"Where in the heck have you been?!?!"

I'm sure that's the question that you -- my billions and billions of adoring fans -- have been frantically asking every hour of every day since my last post over two months ago. You've no doubt been unable to sleep and are probably feeling near suicidal by now. Well, you can climb down off that ledge because I'm back!

Oh, who am I kidding. Let me rephrase: for all seven of you that noticed I was gone for a long while, I have an explanation. You see, my equipment hates me and decided to mutiny. Apparently I haven't been giving it enough rum.

A few days after I got back from my big road trip out west, my camera -- a tried and true Canon 5D -- started acting up. Upon taking it to the local pro camera shop, I was given the news most dreaded by any photographer: it would have to be sent to Canon in Japan for repairs. This meant a four-week turnaround time at a minimum. The "good" news, however, was that the repair appeared to be fairly minor and should only cost a few hundred bucks. So, I bit the bullet and sent it in.

You can probably guess where this is going. A few weeks later, I got a call from Canon informing me that the problems were much worse than expected, and the cost of the repair was going to be in the four-figure range. Luckily, I had had the foresight to insure the camera, so I gave Canon the go ahead to perform the repair. By the time the camera was fixed and ready to be returned to me, I was already on my yearly visit to the Caribbean. Of course, Canon would not send it there, so I had to have it sent to a friend in the states, who then sent it to me. By the time I finally had it in my hands it had been gone for nearly TWO MONTHS. Ugh!

However, all that was behind me. I had my camera back and was free to get shooting! And, I did. I went to San Juan, Puerto Rico and got some nice photos, one of which is posted below. But before we get to that, I have to finish my story. Yep, there's (unfortunately) more.

Right about the time I got my camera back, my computer decided that I hadn't had enough grief and started crashing repeatedly. Fast forward to today and my computer has pretty much passed on to the great cyberspace in the sky. (RIP, lil' buddy.) I have another one on order, but it will be a month or so before it gets here. Right now, I'm writing this on a friend's computer.

So, I hope that helped explain my absence, or at least made you laugh half as much as it made me cry.

But enough about that, let's get onto the photo, shall we?

This was taken near the beach of the El Condado region of San Juan, Puerto Rico. It was a very surreal spot with the solo light and two chairs, which is what drew me to it. As always, you can see a larger version of the photo by clicking RIGHT HERE and going to my Fine Art Galleries.

I'll hopefully have some more images from San Juan posted in the next week or two. Until then, take care and be sure to give your computer some love! ^_^

A new record!

2008-12-01T15:21:00.048-06:00

Last week, I told you that my recently completed road trip of the western US was the best trip ever. For once, I wasn't kidding. The journey took me through Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana and North Dakota in that order -- 7,500 miles in all!

Of course, the primary purpose behind the trip was photography. Being that it was the "best trip ever" it shouldn't surprise you that the whole adventure was very productive photography-wise. I came away with what I feel is some of the best work I've done yet. I picked out my favorites and came out with EIGHTEEN pictures to show you. That's a new record for the most photos in a single blog entry, completely decimating my previous record of thirteen.

The highlight of the trip, as expected, was meeting up with renowned photographer Marc Adamus. He and I hit it off immediately and became fast friends. Marc is quite the guy. He's bursting with energy and is a veritable encyclopedia of wilderness trivia, not to mention a gourmet chef. (The meals he can cook in 20 minutes using only a single pot are astounding -- I've paid $40 for entrees at nice restaurants that weren't half as good.) He tears down lonely gravel roads at 90 miles per hour, and on the rare occasion that he misses a turn, he hits the e-brake and does a 180. My kind of guy!

Marc picked out a gorgeous campsite -- very secluded, right next to a babbling stream beneath the rugged Steens Mountain Range in remote southeastern Oregon. The first day, he took me on a seven mile hike, much of it off-trail, with 3,000 feet of elevation gain. Needless to say, by the end I was fairly spent. Marc, on the other hand, hadn't even broken a sweat. He later informed me that he often hikes two or three times that amount in a single day, all while carrying a 70 pound pack, sometimes in sub-zero weather. Wow.

As impressive as all that was, it was Marc's knowledge of photography that wowed me the most. He taught me several useful techniques that I was able to start using immediately. He has an uncanny ability to "see" a potential shot. I've always considered that one of my own strong points, yet Marc helped to make it even stronger. Same thing with composition: he helped me improve something which I was already skilled at. Lastly, Marc has a remarkable knack for predicting weather accurately, which is obviously extremely useful for a nature photographer. He helped me understand how he does this, which I know will be a great boon for me in the future.

Best of all, I have gained a new friend, someone I'm proud to know. We're already talking about meeting up again this summer for some more shooting. I'll be sure to post about it here when the time comes.

In closing, I'd like to give a big "THANKS!" to Marc for a fantastic and productive time. Ditto to my assistant Kaelly for helping me greatly throughout the entire journey. And for putting up with me (no small task, I assure you).

And now, without further ado, it's time for the photos. Be sure and click the links below each photo. That will bring up a larger, more detailed version, along with the story behind each image.

The next time you hear from me, I will be in lands far to the south of the US. Until then, take care!

"Skyfire" Click here to see and learn more.

"Steens Mountain Sunrise" Click here to see and learn more.

"Lost Ladybug" Click here to see and learn more.

"Demons In The Sky" Click here to see and learn more.

"Soulmates" Click here to see and learn more.

"Elowah Falls Autumn" Click here to see and learn more.

"First Snow" Click here to see and learn more.

"The Chandelier" Click here to see and learn more.

"Underworld" Click here to see and learn more.

"Struggling Ant" Click here to see and learn more.

"Fall Color Cascade" Click here to see and learn more.

"Cycle Of Life" Click here to see and learn more.

"Lonesome Butterfly" Click here to see and learn more.

"Painted Hills Sunset" Click here to see and learn more.

"A Piece Of The Past" Click here to see and learn more.

"Long Shadow" Click here to see and learn more.

"Desert Grandeur" Click here to see and learn more.

"Desert Thunderstorm"

(This one is not on my site and can only be seen here. Marc taught me how to shoot lightening bolts and, for fun, I thought I'd post the results from my first try. Not bad, but next time, I'll do it much better to be sure, and I'll post the results.)

Best. Trip. EVER.

2008-11-26T21:18:00.008-06:00

WOW, what an AWESOME trip!

I did and saw so much stuff, it would take me way too long to tell you everything right now. Because it's the night before Thanksgiving and I've been working on these for many, many days now, I'm just going to give you a quick teaser. Early next week, I will give the story a proper retelling, complete with photos of course.

This is my very favorite image from the entire trip. You can click RIGHT HERE for a larger version and all the details that went into getting this shot. Let's just say it was quite... sandy.

Have a GREAT thanksgiving and I will see you early next week!

Marc my words, this is gonna be good.

2008-10-14T22:51:00.014-05:00

Woo-hoo! It's time for a road trip!

Tomorrow morning, I leave on a month long photography-based road trip of the western United States. I will of course be visiting friends and family along the way, but the heart of the trip centers around one very special individual. When I get to Oregon, I will be meeting up with Marc Adamus for a few days of shooting!

Marc is one of the finest landscape photographers in the world. Check out his work and you'll see what I mean -- it's simply incredible. He is renowned for stopping at nothing to get a shot. He will often hike 20, 30, 40 miles deep into the wilderness, in the middle of winter, to get a single photo. He has been published many times and won gobs of awards.

So, why the heck has Marc agreed to meet with the likes of me? Good question. Maybe all that high-altitude hiking has clouded his judgement. Or, maybe he's feeling compassionate and wishes to help the needy. Or, maybe, just maybe, he sees something in me. Whatever the case, I sure am glad he did. He is going to take me to some of his secret spots and I think I'm going to learn a lot. I couldn't be more stoked!!

Before I go, I want to keep with my tradition and post some shots. These are from this year's Renaissance Festival. As always, larger versions can be found here in my Fine Art Galleries. They are the very last photos I had left to edit and process. I am now completely caught up and ready for the trip. When I return, I'll surely have hundreds if not thousands of new shots to work on. It never ends! And, I love it.

See you in a month!

Told ya' so!

2008-09-20T19:34:00.043-05:00

See? Even I can come through sometimes. I told you that I'd have the photos from my Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness trip done and posted by the end of the week, and lo and behold here they are. Snowflakes must be fluttering through hell.

Of course, there's a small catch. Not all of the photos below are from the Boundary Waters. The Arrowhead Region of Minnesota has so much to see that I naturally ended up taking some photos outside the BWCAW. Two of those -- the bottom two -- are displayed below. They are images of the famous Split Rock Lighthouse. The other three photos are from the BWCAW.

As always, larger versions of each image complete with detailed information can be found right here in my Fine Art Galleries. Or, you can just click on the link right below each picture.

Click here for larger version.

I'm back. And with all my limbs!

2008-09-16T22:27:00.015-05:00

Whew! I got back from the Boundary Waters a couple days ago and have a new found appreciation for things like refrigerators and roofs. The first two days were harsh: high winds, low temps and heavy rains make things, shall we say, a trifle difficult when camping and traveling by canoe deep in the back country. Throw in my less-than-perfect canoeing acumen and a malfunctioning cook-stove and you have a recipe for... issues.

Fortunately, the weather turned around quite nicely at the end, and I was able to get some very nice photos -- I'm really happy with the way they turned out! I'm currently editing them and should have them posted by the end of the week. (Yeah, I know you're heard that before, but this time I mean it!)

For now, I want to take a quick moment to show you a couple of shots that I took the week prior to my Boundary Waters trip. I was camping on Gull Lake in northern Minnesota and captured these two images while spinning around the lake on a friend's boat. The second one needs a bit of clarification. The shoes were left there by a friend, who walked out along a long, shallow underwater point. If you follow the water into the shot, you will see him standing in the background. (He's even easier to see in the large version.) As always, larger views of both shots are available here in my Fine Art Galleries.

Thanks for looking. I'll have the Boundary Waters photos up soon.

A miracle?

2008-09-08T23:09:00.007-05:00

This swan must've been hobnobbing with Jesus lately. Either that or he just likes to show off. Whatever the case, his little manuver sure impressed me. I shot this about a month ago and call it Waterwalking Swan. As usual, the larger version can be found right here in my Animals Gallery.

Incidentally, I could use a little waterwalking magic myself. Tomorrow, I leave for a photography, camping and canoeing excursion into the wild and woolly Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. I'm very excited and anticipate getting some great shots, and will be sure to post them here as soon as they're all edited and processed.

Just pray I don't become bear food. That wouldn't be fair to the bear. ^_^

Move over, Picasso.

2008-08-27T23:34:00.011-05:00

Abstract art has always been a touchy thing for me. When it's done right, it's great. When it's done wrong, it often leaves me scratching my head and thinking, "huh?" (Of course, I've been stumped by a cell phone menu, too, so there's that.)

So, what constitutes abstract art done "right" exactly? Well, for me simply it comes down to a couple things: aesthetics and recognizability. Aesthetics is pretty straightforward -- it just needs to be pleasing to the eye. It doesn't necessarily have to be beautiful, just harmonious -- all the elements have to work together and compliment one another to create a strong overall image.

It's recognizability that's the trickier of the two. I strongly believe that the viewer has to be able to ultimately ascertain what the piece of art is about. Otherwise, you end up with a "huh?" from the viewer and much of the "oomph" of the art is lost.

This recognition can come in different ways. Sometimes, it's a matter of staring at a piece for a bit until you have that "a-ha!" moment when you realize that it's an extreme close-up photo of a leaf. Other times, such as in Duchamp's Nude Descending A Staircase (a favorite of mine), the title of the piece will help clue you into what you are looking at.

Now that I've shown you what I think makes good abstract art, let me show you some of my attempts at it. I've had several abstract photos in my Fine Art Galleries for some time now, such as Waves, Red Army, and Juicy Gemstones. But now I've got a new one to show you.

This was shot a few weeks ago. Unlike most of my blog posts, this photo can NOT also be found in my Fine Art Galleries -- it's only viewable right here in this post. I call it Crescent Moonwing. Give it a look, can you tell me what it is? First one of you to get it correct will receive $1 million!*

*$1 Million subject to availability.

Oh me, oh my -- a butterfly!

2008-07-25T17:52:00.014-05:00

Now that summer's in full swing, it's high time to eye butterflies flying by through the sky -- it's just the thing! My, my, how I like to opine on fine, fine butterfl-- ok... I'll shut up now. Suffice it to say, I like photographing butterflies!

As always, larger versions can be seen here, in my Butterflies Gallery.

Aaaww!

2008-07-21T23:02:00.011-05:00

As a photographer, there is one thing I strive for above all else: emotion. The strongest and most impactful photographs are the ones that evoke an emotional response from the viewer. It doesn't really matter what the emotion is -- whether a photo makes you feel happy, sad, angry, scared, repulsed or some other feeling is not the point. The fact that you felt something, and hopefully something strong, is what matters.

That's the number one goal I have with each and every photo I take: I try to elicit an emotion. Many times, I don't succeed and an image turns out to be plain and lacks the magic I'm looking for. But sometimes, when everything goes right, my efforts are rewarded with an image that has that special touch. Recently, I was able to capture one such image. (See? Even I can do something right sometimes!) I've shown it to several people, and right away they all basically said the same thing: "Aaaww! That's so cute!" That's exactly what I felt when I first took the photo, and it is precisely the emotion I was going for. Success!

For me, this image symbolizes warmth and love. Notice how the mighty king of the jungle is scrunching up his face in anticipation of a cuddle from his lioness? Aaaww! Even tough guys can have soft spots in their hearts. Love conquers all, baby.

As always, the larger version can be seen here in my Fine Art Galleries.

Do Over!

2008-06-05T23:59:00.005-05:00

That old saying isn't true -- turns out you can teach old dogs new tricks. Recently, I, learned a useful new technique from the great Russell Brown. Armed with this new knowledge, I was able to go back and reprocess a handful of my old images, and really make them shine the way I knew they could. Below is one of those.

This was shot last July in the mountains of Colorado. It's a sunrise over Fairy Trumpets. Previously, the sky was too dull and bright, and try as I might, I wasn't able to make it pop like I wanted. Not anymore. Now, it looks as I always intended it to. Thanks, Russell!

As always, the larger version of this photo can be found right here in my Fine Art Galleries.

The storm is over.

2008-06-01T12:32:00.002-05:00

Lately, my world has been quite stormy. That is, stormy in the hectic, I've-got-a-million-things-flying-at-me sort of way. This recent flurry of activity is why I haven't posted anything here in over a month. You could say that the storm of life has rained all over my photography efforts of late. (Ok, that analogy was horrible. I hereby promise not to make anymore storm puns, lest you -- my faithful readers -- storm my office with lightening speed and demand, in a thunderous roar, that I stop flooding this blog with debris.)

Then, just yesterday, a real storm hit Minneapolis. The sky turned an eerie yellow, the winds picked up, heavy rains hit, tornado sirens started wailing -- the whole nine yards. But, just as quickly as it came, the storm was over, leaving behind a beautiful pink hued sunset, pictured below.

Just as the real storm has abated, so has the one in my life. Things are slowing down, returning to normal. Blue skies are on the horizon. Today is the first day of June, and summer is finally here. Therefore, my photography will be picking up quite a bit. You can expect to see more frequent posting from me in the coming months. Perhaps we could call it a hurricane of activity? Ok, we won't.

Happy 420!

2008-04-26T13:14:00.017-05:00

Well, after returning to Minnesota, I quickly realized that winter had not left. We had two big snowstorms within two weeks of my return. So, what did I do? Went back to St. Croix, of course.

While I was there, a friend threw a party on the beach. It was, to say the least, fun.

Below is a photo which embodies the very essence of the party. To get this effect, I composed the shot, set the exposure to 1.6 seconds, tripped the shutter, and then moved the camera to the left while the exposure was being taken. The result is the tripped-out, blurred effect that you see. I learned about this nifty technique from world famous nature photographer Jim Brandenburg; he used it on this image. Although I use it very sparingly, when used properly, it can really strengthen an image. I feel that it has done just that here.

I was careful to compose the shot so that it showed a little bit of everything at the scene: there is a little bit of ocean, some moonlight peeking around the foliage at the top, and of course, the party-goers illuminated by firelight. If you look closely, just to the left of the girl's head, you can see some of the moonlight reflecting on the water peeking through the bushes. As usual, the larger version can be seen here.

And, in case you're jealous, don't be. I'm back in Minnesota now. And it's snowing today.

Look Out Below!

2008-03-27T20:43:00.005-05:00

I think the Caribbean sun has gotten to my brain. Or, maybe it's the rum. At any rate, something must've addled my already meager senses. How else can I explain such a long delay in getting this blog entry posted? Once again, I apologize for such a long period of silence. Getting my sailboat up to speed has taken a good deal more time than I figured, and has eaten up much of the time I had allocated for photography. Whoever said that boats are money pits wasn't kidding. Every time I turn around, there's something to attend to. I've learned a new saying, one that's pure genius in its simple truth: BOAT = Break Out Another Thousand. Haha. Excuse me while I go cry now.

But all has not been bad. I do have at least a little something to show for my toils.

On one of the occasions that my boat was actually up and running, I was able to capture my favorite photograph since I've arrived here. During our sail someone mentioned that climbing up the mast and jumping into the water is quite fun. Never being one to pass up a chance for fun, I scrambled up the mast and had an exhilarating leap into the water from some 35 feet above. Not to be outdone, a friend followed suit immediately after me. However, his jump differed from mine in that he ended his with a most impressive face-plant into the water. It hurt just watching it.

Below is a photo of that man's jump. Note the crazed look on his face. If you look closely, you'll also see folks on the beach watching intently. How often do you get to watch someone try to tear their own head off? Filling out the composition are some terrific clouds and the moon right next to the guy. Maybe he was trying to jump over it?

I will be back in Minnesota soon. Take care.

Cold enough for ya?

2008-02-06T10:55:00.000-06:00

If, like me, you live in Minnesota or any other midwestern state, on a cold winter day you've inevitably heard that dreaded question: Cold enough for ya? And again, if you're like me, you inevitably want to slap the face of the person asking that question. Seriously, what kind of response do they expect? "Gee, now that I think about it, 20 below zero isn't cold enough for me! I'd actually prefer it be 50 below. Thanks for asking!"

I bring this up because I've heard that it's been pretty darn nippy back in Minnesota. The temperature actually was 20 below zero just last week. Add a bit of wind chill in there and you have weather worthy of Antarctica. Of course, you know what's coming next. This is the part where I brag about how blissfully warm it's been down here in the Virgin Islands. I then tell you that I have built up a nice tan, and that's it's been sunny, and between 80 and 85 degrees every single day. But, I'm not gonna do that, because that would just be plain mean.

Nope, instead of telling you that I went sailing the other day, I'm going to talk photography.

I've been quite busy since I got here, and haven't had as much time for photography as I would like. That should change as time goes on. For now though, I do have a shot I'd like to show you. It's of a gecko, one of millions that we have here. The particular gecko was quite fun. He kept peeking out at me from behind a tree. I swear he was playing Peek A Boo with me. After a few shots, I finally got the one I wanted. I like how the composition is balanced by the three trees and the spaces between them. As always, the larger versions of the shot can be seen on my main website here.

I will do my best to report back soon. 'Till then, keep warm!

Better late than never.

2008-01-08T14:57:00.001-06:00

I know, I know: I'm late. Not just a wee bit late, but a whole lotta late. I said I'd have the Hawaii photos up "in the next few days". Turns out a "the next few days" actually meant "thirteen days". Oops. Sorry 'bout that. Normally, I'd have something witty to say which would explain the delay while simultaneously making you laugh like you'd just watched President Bush try to solve a math problem. But, today I just don't have it in me.

You see, tomorrow I leave for my winter retreat in the Virgin Islands. Which, as fun as it sounds, is actually a lot of work. (I know, you're probably throwing up now.) I'll be gone for three months, so I've been busy with all the preparations, not to mention the whole New Year's thing. So, that's why these photos were so delayed. 'Tis the truth.

But, hey, at least they're done and posted now, right? Please take a look at them and let me know what you think. I'm pretty happpy with them and I think you will be too. As always, all these photos can be viewed in much larger versions complete with captions on my photography site in the Hawaii Gallery.

I will try and post photos from the Virgin Islands when I can. Internet is spotty there, so it may be awhile. Until then, I thank you for keeping up with me, and hope the best for you and yours.

What a difference a day makes.

2007-12-26T20:48:00.000-06:00

Ha ha ha! Merry Christmas!

Haven't you heard? The powers that be have now decided that "ho ho ho" is politically incorrect, and would rather we say "ha ha ha" instead. ...And you thought I was strange? In all seriousness, though, I hope you had a swanky holiday.

I returned from my photo trip to Hawaii about a week ago, and upon landing I thought my plane had veered off course and landed in the Northwest Territories. I mean, some snow is one thing, but holy frozen cajones, Batman, are we having a winter this year. It would make a penguin scream!

My body was thoroughly confused. One day, I'm here:

...and the very next day, I'm here:

Yes, I know you're probably thinking I should call the waaaaaambulance. If you've been suffering through this entire winter without a break, you most likely have zero sympathy for me. Well, to that I say ...nothing. I can't really blame you. Ha ha ha! (No, that's just me laughing, not doing a Santa impression.)

And now, to the business at hand: photos! I'm happy to say, the shooting went pretty well. We had a bit more rain than usual, but in the end I definitely got what I feel are some stunners. I'm currently editing them and will post them ASAP -- should be in the next few days. Until then, Aloha and Mahalo!

If you go to San Francisco...

2007-12-02T19:19:00.000-06:00

Well, the photos from my Northern California trip are finally done and in my California Gallery. I must say it is quite an amazing place. Even though I've been to California many times before, I was still astounded by all it has to offer a photographer.

I started in the awesome city by the bay, and it only got better from there. I explored waterfalls, mountains, giant redwood forests, coastal cliffs, lakes, rivers -- you name it, I saw it and photographed it. Overall, I was very happy with the trip and resulting photos.

Not everything went according to plan, however.

For starters, I got a bad cold the day before I left Minneapolis. It was severe enough that if I had I been going by car, I would've postponed the trip. But, I wasn't driving, I was flying. So, there was nothing to do but just grin and bear it. Getting up at the crack of dawn and hiking through wilderness with a backpack of camera gear can be tough. Doing it while sporting a fever and coughing every five seconds is an altogether different challenge. Thank God for willpower and Benadryl!

About five days into the trip, with my cold in full swing, I parked my rental vehicle near some railroad tracks running parallel to a river and proceeded to hike along them. I had been told by a guidebook that at the end of this hike was one of the most spectacular waterfalls in California. But, after awhile I realized that the book must be wrong. It said that the waterfall was only 1.5 miles down the tracks and I had already gone two miles. Then, I read more closely and saw a bit of info I had missed: I was supposed to hike the tracks upstream. And guess which way I had been hiking? Sigh... yep... I was hiking downstream.

I stood there numb for a moment and let it sink in. There I was, with a raging cold and a heavy burden, and I had just gone two miles in the wrong direction. Which, of course, meant that I had to hike those two miles back, and then from there go another mile and a half to the falls. And then another mile and a half back. So, instead of hiking three miles, I, navigational genius, would end up hiking seven. Yay.

I begrudgingly did an about face and began hiking back, when something else happened. A train decided that this would be the perfect time to come rumbling along on the tracks behind me. The tracks I was walking on. The guidebook had warned that the tracks were still in use and to watch out for trains, but I figured they were just being overly cautious. What were the chances that a train would really come along while I was there? Turns out the chances were pretty damn good.

I quickened my pace until I found a spot where I could get off the tracks, and I watched the metal monster chug by me. I really had serious thoughts about jumping it and riding it all the way to the falls. It'd be awesome! I would have an exhilarating ride, and cut four miles off of my hike! Then, I woke up. I'd already made enough blunders for the day. No sense in making a FINAL one. Besides, what would my tens of millions of blog fans do without me?

Tomorrow, I leave for Hawaii. I'll be back in a couple weeks with more photos and tales. Until then, take care.

A sign o' the times.

2007-12-02T12:40:00.000-06:00

During my recent trip to Northern California, something terrible happened: an oil tanker hit a bridge in the San Francisco bay and spilled a large amount of oil. This happened the day after I arrived. So, when I went down to Fort Point to shoot some photos of the underside of the Golden Gate Bridge, this is what I saw:

Needless to say, this really pissed me off (and continues to do so). I mean, honestly, how hard is it to drive a boat without hitting something? Apparently, the captain got his license out of a Cheerios box. The authorities are considering bringing criminal charges. Give 'em hell, I say!

Sorry for such a depressing blog entry. It had to be done. We'll be back to our regularly scheduled programming very soon. I am ALMOST done with all the photos from Northern California, and should have them posted later today.

Les is more.

2007-11-19T15:39:00.001-06:00

Whew! I've just returned from my trip to Northern California, and I must say it was quite a good time. There are so many different types of wilderness to photograph there that it's almost hard to know where to start. Mountains, waterfalls, vineyards, rivers, deserts, rainforests, giant redwood forests, the sea -- you name it, it's there. I'm pretty happy with the shots I got, and I'll post them here as soon as they're all done and edited. (And yes, I promise I'll get them done just a wee bit faster than the Wildflowers gallery.)

For now, I have something special to share with you.

As a matter of course, I don't post personal photos of friends, family or myself here. This photoblog is solely for my fine art photography. It would be unprofessional of me to post anything else. (Besides, something tells me that pictures of me sunbathing on the beach just might scar your brain forever.)

This time, however, I am going to break the rule. You see, I don't really have any choice. The Gods of Rock and Roll demand that I show this photo to you. And, who am I to disobey Them?

One night in California I was at a nice resturaunt with my sister (she lives there), her boyfriend and some of their friends. The place was packed, so we were all sitting at the bar eating our dinners. And guess who bellied up to the bar next to us? None other than Les Claypool himself! (If you don't know who he is, slap yourself and emerge from your hermit cave.) I didn't have my SLR with me, so I had to use my cell phone camera to get this photo. Oh, the irony. I never thought I'd actually use that cheapo camera.

That's me in the middle. The girl on the left is my sister. And the man on the right needs no further introduction.

I saw a butterfly flutter by!

2007-11-05T11:41:00.000-06:00

Aren't butterflies just the coolest things? I mean, honestly, who doesn't like them? Evolution has brought us many lifeforms ranging from mosquitos (the Minnesota state bird) to grizzly bears, but butterflies are something truly special. Mother Nature was obviously showing off when she made them.

Her work certainly hasn't gone unnoticed. For thousands of years, butterflies have captivated people the world over. The ancient Egyptians depicted butterflies in their hieroglyphs. The Chinese believe that two butterflies flying together are a symbol of love. The Japanese see a butterfly as the personification of a person's soul, yet, strangely they see large groups of butterflies as a bad omen. In Greece, the word "butterfly" literally means "soul". In other ancient cultures, butterflies symbolized rebirth. And, most importantly, butterflies are the number one tattoo choice for women everywhere. (Years of painstaking scientific research of womens' midriffs has confirmed this.)

Now, I don't know too much about all of that. For me, butterflies are just damn cool to look at. Thus, it should come as no surprise that I love photographing them, too. After culling through all of my butterfly photos, I have selected my favorites and created a new Butterflies Gallery. Take a look and let me know what you think.

(Tomorrow, I leave for a two-week photo excusrion to Northern California. You'll have to find some way to survive without my riveting photoblog entries. I'll post some shots from the trip when I return. Until then, farewell.)

More flowers than a royal wedding.

2007-10-27T17:08:00.001-05:00

In July, I had the good fortune to be able to do something that I've always wanted to do: explore vast mountain meadows brimming with wildflowers. It was so magical, that I ended up shooting a pile of photos. On my way back to Minnesota, I wondered how long it would take me to get all of them culled, edited and finished. I had a sneaking suspicion that Mars might be colonized before I finished my task.

But all that worry was for naught. Somehow, I got them all done. And it only took me four months. (Hey, that gives me an idea! I should go work for the highway department. I bet they could use a speedy guy like me!)

Anyhow, go to this gallery to see the fruits of my efforts. Below is a small taste of what awaits you.

I knew there was a reason I became a photographer.

2007-10-16T18:50:00.001-05:00

A few weeks ago, a good friend of mine approached me and asked if I would do nude photos of her -- nothing racy, just artistic photos. She said she wanted them because one day she'll be an old lady and she wants to be able to remember herself in her prime. Can't argue with that logic.

I must tell you I can't remember that last time I faced such an agonizing decision. Talk about having your arm twisted! After deliberating over her request for approximately 1.8 seconds, I agreed to it. Portrait photography -- including nude photography -- is something that I've been wanting to explore and work on and this seemed like a perfect opportunity to do just that.

This past Saturday was the big day. We found a secluded spot in a far flung park and did the shoot. It went pretty well! I realized that I have a knack for this stuff and, *gasp* actually kind of know what I'm doing. Despite the cold weather, my friend was a real trooper and had no problem getting into the swing of it. Because things went so well, we plan on doing a studio shoot in the near future. I will be sure and post photos from that shoot once it's done.

Here a couple of photos from Saturday's shoot. For obvious reasons, I can't show you very many of the shots here on my photoblog. If you would like to see the rest of the photos, please email me and I'll give you the password to the gallery that houses them. And yes, my friend is fine with that -- she agreed that the photos should be viewable to all who want to see them. Otherwise, what's the point?

Lastly, I'd like to give a shout out to my girlfriend, Stephanie, who was cool enough to allow me to do this. Thanks, babe!

Without further ado, I give you Genevieve.

Better late than never.

2007-10-09T15:44:00.000-05:00

As promised, here are some more shots from my Canyonlands trip. Yeah, I know it took me over a week to post them, but I did say I'd post them later, didn't I? So, sue me if my definition of "later" differs from yours! (Nevermind my grumpiness, it's just that... well... I'm still finding sand in places that sand has no business being in.)

By the way, if you'd like to see more of my pictures from Canyonlands, then just go to my Canyonlands gallery.

Didn't know I had it in me.

2007-09-30T12:25:00.000-05:00

Hoo boy! I just returned last night from a week-long photography and mountain biking excursion in the wonders of Canyonlands National Park. It was a 100+ mile trek on a treacherous road -- and, believe me, calling it a road is being generous -- through spectacular desert canyons. Before we embarked on our journey, I honestly wasn't sure if I could hack it. I'm not exactly Lance Armstrong. But, I'm happy to report that I made it, and with all limbs intact! Hard to believe, I know.

For now, I'm just going to show you one of my favorite shots from the trip. I'll post more later.

Third time's a charm.

2007-09-17T21:12:00.001-05:00

Well, I think it's official: I'm a bona-fide Renaissance Festival junkie. And, like all junkies, I just had to get my fix again yesterday. Which, of course, means that I've got some more photos to show you.

I know, I know, you're probably thinking "What? More photos from Ren Fest (that's what we junkies call it)? C'mon Kory, it's time for something new! Enough of your beer drinking escapades!" Now, I can see where you might think that, but these photos are special. So special in fact that I did not consume one single drop of Guiness the entire day. (No, that's not a typo.) I was much too enthralled with photographing all the colorful characters I met. (Besides, I already drank all the Guiness they had the last time I was there, remember?)

I'd like to show you photos of everyone I met, but alas, I haven't the time. (But you can see them in my Renaissance Gallery if you'd like.) Therefore, I am only going to show you photos of one special character. I say "character" because she is not a person, at least not in the traditional sense. She is a fairy. I know it sounds crazy, but it's true. She is unlike anyone I've ever encountered.

You know how once in awhile, you meet someone who has that certain something? That magical quality that just draws you to them? Well, she has it. The way she flows through a crowd, the way she interacts with kids without uttering a single word, the twinkle in her eyes, it's magic. Real magic. I know it may seem like I'm overly gushing about her, but if you ever meet her, you'll understand.

Without further ado, I give you Twig Oaklyn Flewinia Thistlebottom.

Summer is still here! No, seriously.

2007-09-12T17:36:00.000-05:00

Here in Minnesota, mid-September is, sadly, often the time that Old Man Winter decides to wake up and kick us all in the groin. But not this year, at least so far. The days have been gloriously pleasant lately, and today was no exception. I spotted this Painted Lady frolicking among some colorful Zinnias as if summer was going to continue on forever.

(Not to burst your bubble there, cute lil' butterfly, but the Home Depot already has snow shovels on sale at the front of the store.)

Another fine day.

2007-09-06T23:22:00.000-05:00

Well, Labor Day rolled around and I couldn't resist going to the Renaissance Festival again. Last time, I wasn't able to quaff every last drop of Guiness they had, so I figured I better finish what I started. Say what you want about me, but I ain't no quitter.

I was not alone in my quest to vanquish beer, however. My friends the Lady Annora of Cornwall and Brian the Strong accompanied me to make sure I got the job done. As you can see, they just threw on any ol' thing before dashing out the door.

Happy birthday to me.

2007-09-01T11:55:00.000-05:00

Yep, I'm 32 today. Since it's going to be a very fun day, I thought I'd share one of the more humorous photos I took on my photo excursion to Colorado a couple months ago.

You know how when you're trying to take a picture of people -- friends, relatives, whatever -- there always seems to be one joker who insists on making a face and messing up the shot? Well, it seems that even the animal kingdom takes pleasure from messing up my shots. Just look at this elk. You can almost hear him saying, "Nyah nyah nyah nyah nyah!".

Oyez! Oyez! Oyez! Lend me thy eyes and ears!

2007-08-29T20:58:00.000-05:00

Went to my first ever Renaissance Festival this past weekend, and I was more than impressed. It's like the state fair with a more naughty, adult vibe and without all the rides and concrete. And they had plenty of Guiness to soothe my parched throat. 'Twas heaven, I tell thee!

I used to make fun of bloggers. Now I am one.

2007-08-28T22:47:00.000-05:00

Ha! Isn't that the way life is? I used to think blogging was a silly thing to do, yet here I am making my very first post in my very first, and certainly only, blog. I'm not sure how regularly I will be able to update this blog, but I'm sure it will be often enough to keep my global audience of millions upon millions of adoring fans eagerly coming back for more.

It is my solemn promise you that this blog will always be 100% accurate, fair and balanced, will save the whales, end world hunger, and bring about world peace. All you have to do is read it.

Oh, and one last promise: this blog will never contain sarcasm. Ever.

Thanks for reading and stay tuned! More to come soon.